Thursday, June 25, 2015

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday! This week is a very special week for me. It's my 10 year blogging anniversary! Sorry this is sort of a wordy post but 10 years deserves that!

When I started my blog on June 23, 2005 most people didn't even know what a blog was! My very first post was of my living room and I cringe when I look at that photo now but I'll share it below just because I think I've come a long way baby!

I was actually so excited when I started my blog that I did 3 posts in one night! haha

I always loved decorating so after getting hooked on reading knitting blogs I decided to start my very own blog and it was going to be a combination of things I loved...knitting, home decor, baking and flowers. Well, I think I only shared 1 knitting project and that still isn't finished after all these years!

I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure I had the very first home decor blog around. I could be wrong but I haven't seen any others that started prior to June 2005! (please correct me if I'm wrong)

I didn't post much in the beginning because no one was reading it and it felt very self-absorbed to be writing about myself as if I were sharing things with the world and yet no one was visiting. It wasn't too much longer after that that some other home decor blogs starting popping up. Back then it was a very small community and we all got to know each other and that was a very special time in my life. It was so nice to connect with other women (and a couple men) that had the same interests as me! I know some of you are still around and some of you even left and came back to blogging. You all know who you are and I apologize for not visiting as much as I used to. I'm sort of a bad blogger that way now but I wasn't years ago. The truth is my life is so much busier now with work, going to the gym and spending more time with friends. I was at a time in my life back then when my daughter was young and I was divorced and had her full time. I didn't date when she was between 8 and 18 because I didn't want her memory of her childhood to be of her mom bringing different men around so I just stayed home with her. This blog and decorating was my love life! ha! It was the perfect distraction for me. Now I date (off and on) and I go out a lot with my girlfriends. My daughter is now 22 and still lives at home but she's hardly home! It's hard to believe she was only 12 when I started this blog!

For years I did 5 posts a week! I don't know how I did it! It exhausts me just to think about it but I was loving every minute of it at the time. I only post once a week now and I'm so thankful that so many of you come by each week...week after week! It's really hard to think of new content after 10 years! I've had some rude comments telling me I should give it up and that I'm only doing it for the money. If that were the case I would still be blogging 5 days a week because I was making a lot more money through ads when I was blogging more often. The fact is, this has become like a child to me and I just can't give it up...I've thought about it but it makes me really sad just thinking about it.

To wrap this up I just want to say that when I started this little blog I had no idea so many wonderful things would come my way because of it! So many "pinch me, I must be dreaming" moments! Being in Romantic Homes Magazine back in 2010 was just a dream come true! Being featured on the front page of the Home and Garden section of my hometown newspaper The San Jose Mercury News on Valentine's Day 2010. Being on HGTV's Rate My Space TV show (ugh, I was about 80 lbs heavier back then and I can't even watch that video without wondering why I let myself get like that)! Being in Women's Day Magazine! Romantic Country Magazine! An Italian magazine and a Malaysia newspapers both of which I heard of but never actually saw. Being interviewed on the radio! I honestly don't say this to brag, I still don't believe this all happened to me! If you've ever seen the movie "Sliding Doors" this part of my life sort of reminds me of that. The movie is about how if you do one thing different in your life, how if you take a different path how your life can be so different. Had I not started this blog none of these wonderful things would have happened. Had I not started this blog I would have never known that there are so many of you out there that love home as much as I do! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and being my "friends" week after week, month after month, year after year and now into the next decade! It's really quite amazing! My longest marriage (yes two divorces) was 9 1/2 years and my blog has lasted longer than that! ha!

Ok, I'll end this now but as I promised....here is the photos from my very first posts....

My very first post photo (makes me cringe now)

My 2nd post was a drawing I did (I never draw anymore but at the time dreamed of doing more of it and getting really good at it)

I think in this next decade I will draw more and finish knitting that scarf!

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Thanks to all of you that join in on Show and Tell Friday every week and thanks to all of you who leave such nice comments!

If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that
your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. If
you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact
Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common
courtesy link back to my blog.

53 comments:

A huge congratulations Cindy - 10 years is a milestone indeed !I cringe when I see my older photos ( well I still cringe because I'm a lousy photographer LOL ) But I'm so in love with that topiary drawing - you're an artist !!!Thanks for the party - as always xxx

A very happy anniversary to you! I bet blogging became part of you after all those years! Nice to visit you every Thursday evening. I was super-young and super-stupid back in 2005. I wish I knew about blogging back then,but actually, maybe it's for the best,because that would have been completely different blog .... "Sliding Doors" moment indeed! :)Wishing you many many happy years of blogging!

Happy 10th Anniversary! I started blogging five years ago and your Show and Tell Party was one of the very first parties I linked up to. Both you and Brenda from Cozy LIttle Househelped me get linked up and I have never forgotten your kindness to me. Congratulations. You've come a long way baby!

Wow...10 years! Congratulations! Just wanted you to know that you were the first blog I found in 2009 and you saved my sanity. I was home and unwell so could not work...You gave me soooo much inspiration and something to look forward to each day...so I want to say a big thankyou...You are amazing <3

Wow! Ten years is definitely a big deal, Cindy. Congratulations! I'm glad you've continued to keep your blog going, and I say bravo to you for keeping your personal priorities in check. Real life is important! Thanks for hosting each week. It's a great party and I always leave with lots of inspiration.

Congratulations, Cindy! 10 years is a big deal and huge commitment! This blogging world is so interesting to me--all the nice people we meet and get to know, plus we get to share what we love with other like-minded women (and a few men). I know I've followed you and joined your parties for quite some time now. Keep it up; it's so fun to join in! ~Zuni

Cindy, congratulations on ten years! That is an amazing journey! I have almost a year, so I am encouraged with your commitment! Love linking with you every Thursday evening and thank you for being a lovely and gracious hostess! Blessings, Pam (everydayliving.me)

What a great post. I love it and think you are really brave to share that first photo! Your story resonates with me (except for the recognition and success part) in that a blog can really be like a child, amazingly enough. Thank you for the opportunity to share the flowers in my garden with your readers. Consistently they are some of the best "clickers" in taking a look at the larger versions of my photos. I so appreciate that, and I do enjoy what you write and share, every single week. Onwards! Sara in Seattle

Congratulations! Wow! I just started blogging this year and I can't even imagine 10 years from now! I think it is wonderful and I do enjoy stopping by each week for your link party. Thanks so much for the inspiration to keep going!

Congratulations on 10 years Cindy, that's wonderful! You were the very first decor blog I found and the only reason I started my blog in 2009 was to be able to participate in Show and Tell Friday:) I never even knew painting furniture was a thing so you were the one I learned from and found out about adding appliques to my pieces thru you. Like you, I'm an apartment dweller so you've always been one of my favorites because of that! You helped me make the best of the little space I have:)

I guess I started reading blogs in 2009? just guessing. I don't even remember how I first discovered blogs however I remember you were painting a lot of furniture and I remember the show you were on Rate my Space? something like that. I remember the post telling about how many beautiful lines your mother had given you and how you parents use to flea market a lot etc.I remember your bike riding, dating, and moving experiences etchave a great weekend it's been fun reminiscing, oh and of course sweet little Beau

Happy Blogiversary from your long-time Pittsburgh reader! It's been a fun and wonderful and beautiful journey and I am so happy I've been along for the ride!Here's to the next 10 years......martinis (or wine!) all around!Thanks for being here!Onward!Judi

Oh Cindy, what a huge Blogiversary to be celebrating! You are an amazing blogger and I have been your follower for 4 1/2 years now and hope to be for very long more!Your journey has been very fulfilling with so many 'pinch me' moments, which you deserve.Thank you for having us today and congrats a ton!Have a nice weekend.FABBY

Congrats on 10 years! Indeed, yours was one of the first blogs I "happened upon" when surfing the 'net for something about 8 years ago. It was love at first sight! I was very much into "romantic" decorating then and I was so enamored with your style and how you could make even a rental look fantastic. Thanks for all the years of enjoyment! Blogs are "our babies" aren't they!

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary, Cindy! Yours is one of the few blogs I look forward to each week. . .although I don't blog myself, I love visiting yours and the party you host every Friday. Thank you for that!

Congrats on 10 years! Oof I'm not even going to even think about how hard it would be to come up with material after 10 years...I have a hard time week to week some weeks! :D Thank you for another wonderful party dear!

Congratulations on your 10 year Blogiversary. I used to link up on your blog party when I had my old blog. That was back in 2007. It disappeared one day from Blogger. I was closing in on my two year mark and finally reached a point where I had found a rhythm and my voice. I will never know what happened to that blog. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I had such high hopes for that creative endeavor. I know how much time it takes to really develop a blog. People should not be critical of the joy that others find in blogging. I remember when you took over hosting the Show and Tell link party too. Although I don't remember who you inherited it from, but I remember being amazed at all the creative posts.

I have just began blogging again and this time I'm doing it with a hosted site. This way no one can take me blog away again. I hope you continue doing what you love.

Happy 10 year Anniversary! That's a long time! I'm so glad you haven't stopped after all this time! I started blogging in 2009 so not nearly as long as you have but our daughters are the same age.:) Thanks for hosting this party Cindy!

Congrats at these wonderful 10 years of blogging! I am with you from last five years now! visiting your blog posts during these five years and always enjoying. Thanks a lot for these wonderful years of blogging. Love your Romantic home :)Thanks for the party! happy Blogversary again!

Happy Blogiversary! Your blog was the VERY first blog I saw and that was through a link on your HGTV Rate my Space online(I don't think that is even around anymore). I believe it was in 2006 and was a picture of an Armoire you painted....not sure. Back then I couldn't wait everyday to check your blog to see what you had posted, then slowing it wasn't everyday...omg the withdrawals. lol But I love checking in on Thursday and see what you are up to. I feel like I know you personally...I was so happy for you when you started losing weight, cried when your Mother passed away, sad when you lost your job, biting my nails when you where interviewing for jobs, so upset when you had to move and then move again!!

Anyway, Cindy thank you for introducing me to the blog world and so happy your still around!

Oh man, at first I thought you were quitting (many people are) and I had just found your blog. I'm glad you're not. Being published in a home magazine would make my life. :) Be happy and proud. Ignore the nasty comments. The Internet has become a very negative place like that. Just focus on the ones that appreciate your effort.

Hi Cindy. Wow. 10 years is a huge blogging accomplishment, in my book. Good for you. I have to say that YOUR blog was the first I ever laid eyes on. I thought, "What is this? This is so awesome!" Really, I was entranced by its beauty and introduced to a "new world." Life has never been the same since. I LOVE your blog.

I wish you many more years with your "child" and hope it NEVER grows up! Susan

Congratulations! It's so funny, today I was knitting (a small doll coat - no large projects for me!) and out of nowhere your fisherman's scarf popped into my head. And I wondered whether you had finished it and started another! Your blog has been beautiful and heartfelt and warm and welcoming from the beginning. So glad you are keeping it up. Have a great day! ~sheri

Happy 10 year blog anniversary. Wow, that is a long time. You must love it. I have been married twice. Now all my kids are grown and I pretty much live alone. I haven't dated since my second husband. I don't know if I ever will again. However, I am content with my life. I enjoy blogging too. Thanks so much for the party.

Cindy, Yours is the first blog I found a few years ago. I was looking for information on painting furniture and found your blog. I used your information for my first furniture painting project. Well done!

Cindy, Keep on Blogging, I have really enjoyed your post and all your decorations... I loved everything you have ever done...Don'y ever quit it...you are way to good at what you do....Take care and look forward to your next post....

Congratulations, Cindy! I can't remember when I first found your blog but I have always enjoyed your posts, decorating and photography. I especially enjoyed when you would post photos from your travels in California. I only live one state away, but I have not been to California since 1989!!! But this year I have 2 trips planned,just not to your neck of the woods. You have such a warm personality, and I miss when you posted more often, but I totally understand! I always try to check in, even if I get a few days behind. Thanks for continuing to post and I wish you the best!

Congratulations on your 10 year blogging anniversary. I am one of the early bloggers as well and have gone through a lot of growing pains to say the least. Now people want to be featured on my blog Notably Wonderful which is just amazing to me. I would love it if you visited me at Notably Wonderful and said hello.

Hi Cindy, sure do hope that you are just away for the Fourth holiday and not ending this fabulous blog at this Ten Year Anniversary point. We would miss you and your stories and photos so much! Have a great holiday and hope to see you here again soon. Sara in Seattle

Cindy, ten years! That is amazing (and I don't use that word lightly)! I have been at it for 5 1/2 years and I have only ever posted once a week. I can't imagine ever posting 5 times a week. So glad you're still at it!

Congratulations on ten years of blogging. I didn't start in 2005, but it wasn't too long after that that I joined in. In fact, I might know one of those bloggers that you were referring to that quit and came back ;) I also remember when you got to be on HGTV. You looked beautiful and I was so proud to know you. I should have done it too when they asked, but I was too shy.

Anyway, I'm so glad you're still here. Even if you don't come around or post as often as you did, it's nice to know that you're doing well and I can still visit you here :)

Just wanted to let you know that yours was the very first blog I read and you introduced me to a whole new world! I haven't accomplished anything since! ;-) I found you through my first visit to HGTV's Rate My Space website. I have always enjoyed your blog and so many others that led from your blog list. But like you, my life and interests have changed and I visit different blogs now, for the most part, and less often.